Leader anxiety during an adventure education residential experience: An exploratory case study

Abstract

Research in outdoor and adventure activities has frequently focused on participant outcomes but has seldom sought to understand the experiences of the leader. This case study evaluates changes in the anxiety of a leader during an eight day residential experience for 30 Physical Education students, based in the Langdale Valley (English Lake District). A one way analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the self confidence scores of the leader measured using the CSAI-2 for the time prior to the group completing a ridge walk supervised by members of the teaching team, and prior to the group's self contained two day expedition (p=0.048).

The data also supports a general trend of higher cognitive and somatic anxiety before the group activities commenced in the morning and last thing at night. Qualitative information in the form of field diary entries supported that increases in anxiety and a reduction in self-confidence were symptomatic of instances where the leader felt that they could not directly influence event outcomes.

This study recognises a potential need for leaders to consider the implementation of strategies to manage stress levels during extended residential periods, although further research is required to more fully understand the phenomenon of leader anxiety.